HomeUncategorizedHE WAS MINUTES FROM TAKING THE STAGE — THEN EARTH, WIND & FIRE’S NIGHT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP Thousands of fans were already inside San Francisco’s Chase Center, waiting for Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie, when the night took an alarming turn. Behind the scenes, longtime drummer JOHN PARIS had suffered a critical medical emergency. The concert was postponed at the last minute, and Paris was rushed away for hospital care. But what happened afterward has made the story even more emotional. His wife, musician Kathy Merrick, has now stepped away from her own performances to remain at his side, while friends and fellow musicians rally around the family as the unexpected crisis continues. For a musician who has spent decades keeping the beat behind some of the world’s biggest stages, everything changed before he could play a single note that night. What his family has now revealed about the days since that frightening backstage emergency is in the comments.
HE WAS MINUTES FROM TAKING THE STAGE — THEN EARTH, WIND & FIRE’S NIGHT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP Thousands of fans were already inside San Francisco’s Chase Center, waiting for Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie, when the night took an alarming turn. Behind the scenes, longtime drummer JOHN PARIS had suffered a critical medical emergency. The concert was postponed at the last minute, and Paris was rushed away for hospital care. But what happened afterward has made the story even more emotional. His wife, musician Kathy Merrick, has now stepped away from her own performances to remain at his side, while friends and fellow musicians rally around the family as the unexpected crisis continues. For a musician who has spent decades keeping the beat behind some of the world’s biggest stages, everything changed before he could play a single note that night. What his family has now revealed about the days since that frightening backstage emergency is in the comments.
Earth, Wind & Fire members are rallying around the “heartbeat” of the legendary band — drummer John Paris — after a critical medical emergency landed him in the hospital.
Several band members, including saxophonist Gary Bias and keyboardist Myron McKinley, have donated to a GoFundMe set up for Paris. Bias donated $200, and McKinley contributed $500.
Paris reportedly suffered a “cardiac incident” at the arena right before Earth, Wind & Fire were set to perform with Lionel Ritchie at the Chase Center Thursday in San Francisco. The show was canceled because of the medical emergency.
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Paris reportedly suffered a “cardiac incident” right before a joint concert Earth, Wind & Fire was set to perform with musician Lionel Ritchie last week at the Chase Center in San Francisco.Getty Images
Paris is currently “receiving the care he needs, surrounded by the love of his family and the prayers of countless friends and fans,” according to the GoFundMe.
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John Paris of Earth, Wind & Fire is pictured. Paris was rushed to the hospital after suffering a critical medical emergency.GoFundMeShelly Clark, founding member of the girls group Honey Cone, started the fundraiser to help Paris and his wife Kathy Merrick with medical expenses. Merrick is also a founding member of Honey Cone, which has postponed upcoming performances to allow Merrick to tend to Paris.“His wife, Kathy Merrick, a member of the legendary group Honey Cone, has remained by his side, along with their daughter, Kyla. With their home in the Los Angeles area, this unexpected medical crisis has brought not only emotional heartbreak, but also the growing burden of travel, lodging, meals, countless unexpected expenses, and the unforeseen challenges that lie ahead,” the fundraiser said.
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The fundraiser has raised more than $39,000 towards its $50,000 goal.Redferns
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John Paris, Verdine White and Robert Burns of Earth, Wind & Fire are pictured during “A Grammy Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire” on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. The legendary band took to the Hollywood Bowl stage for a musical event joined by the LA Philharmonic to celebrate the group’s legacy.
“As friends who love and care deeply for John and Kathy, Shelly Clark White and Wendy Smith-Brune’, member of Honey Cone, along with Tazz Cole, longtime friend of Shelly Clark White and Verdine White, have created this GoFundMe to help ease these unexpected expenses and challenges so Kathy can focus on what matters most—being by John’s side during this incredibly difficult time,” it continued.Other familiar names who donated to the fundraiser include collaborator Grecco Buratto, former Chicago band member Jeff Coffey, and music manager Atron Gregory.
